’Cats soccer ousted in playoff opener

By FROM STAFF REPORTS

fosters.com

By FROM STAFF REPORTS

Posted Oct. 26, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By FROM STAFF REPORTS

Posted Oct. 26, 2012 at 3:15 AM

DURHAM — The University of New Hampshire women’s soccer team fell in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Stony Brook in the first round of America East Championship play Thursday afternoon. The Wildcats wrap up the season with a record of 5-12-2 while Stony Brook advances to the semifinals with a record of 10-6-3.

The Seawolves took a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute of play when Sa’sha Kershaw hit a free kick from 25 yards out at the net. The ball ricocheted off a Wildcat defender in the box and into the goal. Larissa Nysch increased the Stony Brook lead to 2-0 in the 22nd minute of play when Stella Norman sent a corner kick that Nysch diverted with her head into the net.

Just moments before, Meghan Ledwith nearly got the ‘Cats on the board with a penalty kick but the attempt was blocked as Ashley Castanio dove right to hit the ball away.

Queli Ornelas nearly added another tally for Stony Brook when she fired a one-time shot, however UNH keeper Erica Correa extended to her left to make the diving save. The Wildcats’ resilience on offense paid off in the 44th minute of play when junior Tara Fraprie tallied her second goal of the season on a one-time volley. Drea Nogueira played the ball up to Jenna Shaddock (Halifax, Nova Scotia) who then found the foot of Fraprie in stride for the goal. At the end of the first half, the score was 2-1, Stony Brook.

In the second half, New Hampshire barraged the Stony Brook goalie with shot-after-shot. Freshman Kirstyn Corder found the corner kick of Nogueira in the 62nd minute and connected with her head. The attempt hit the crossbar and bounced down, ultimately being cleared by SBU. Corder rifled another shot from 30 yards out that rung the crossbar. Senior forward Monique LaMotte was persistent on offense as well, however Castanio defended her to no avail. In the 88th minute, Raven Edwards carried the ball down the field and played a wide shot past Correa but hit the post.

Correa made two saves on the four shots that she faced on net. Castanio made nine saves on the 10 shots that the Wildcat attack sent on target. New Hampshire outshot Stony Brook, 27-12 in the match